On My Bookshelf (10)

This meme is inspired by the similar meme, 'In My Mailbox' created by The Story Siren 
(I don't have a Mailbox...)

Bought: 

- Across the Universe - Beth Revis (£2.00 in a charity shop)

- Othello - William Shakespeare (for college)

- Death of a Salesman - Arthur Miller (for college)

- The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald (for college) - Wanted to read this for a long time so glad I am studying! 

Borrowed:

- The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

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So, I was walking past the British Heart Foundation charity shop which I had to walk past nearly every day when I worked at Oxfam over the summer. In the window, I had noticed that they have some good books such as the whole series of The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. So, I'm walking past here to get a bus and for some reason, I am drawn in. I don't know why because normally I don't have a desire to go in there. But this day, I did. 

I have a quick look round the accessories before I settle at looking at the books, seeing the normal books that I used to put out all the time in Oxfam, you know, The Da Vinci Code, The Other Boleyn Girl - those sorts of MEGA popular books everyone has. Before I stumble across a copy of Across the Universe. A books I have never seen in a charity shop before.

Before I know, I am at the till and handing a £2 coin over to the girl and walking out with it in a bag. It wasn't until I was on the bus going home, that I realised this is an 'Uncorrected Bound Proof'. I have no idea if I'm meant to have it or not but for some reason, I know I'm going to enjoy looking for the spelling mistakes...

So I only got the books of Othello and Death of a Salesman a week ago BUT ALREADY THEY ARE COVERED IN WRITING (like shown below). Normally I hate writing in books, but when it's English Literature, you kind of have to. At first, rather sadly, I felt a bit rebellious writing in a book. The feeling wares off. Quickly. 

Othello

Death of a Salesman

What about you? What books did you get? Do you like writing in books? Do you have any uncorrected proofs? 

The Rogue's Princess - Eve Edwards (#3)

*There may be some SPOILERS for those who haven't read the first two books The Other Countess and The Queen's Lady*


When I found out in about April 2011 that there was going to be a third book in this series now named The Lacey Chronicles, I knew I had to get it and read it as soon as possible. So I pre-ordered it as it was half price and it was delivered over at the end of August, a couple of days before the release day. I was rather happy really. Due to commitments to other things, this is the first chance I've had to read this book and BOY, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. Warning: I will be gushing on how much I love this book.

Synopsis: A chance encounter finds Kit, actor and illegitimate brother to the Lacey brothers, falling hopelessly in love with the charms of a rich merchants daughter, Mercy. Who is also a Puritan. The match is doomed. A vagabond marrying a merchant's daughter - and a Puritan - it cannot be. As Mercy starts to call equally for Kit as well, she knows that she might have to renounce her family name and leave home. Will she choose duty over her heart? Suddenly, Kit is caught is a dangerous web, one which could be fatal.

Review: For avid readers of the Lacy Chronicles, we know that we were introduced to Kit in Book 2 of this series, The Queen's Lady, as a close friend of Milly Porter, who is consequently good friends with Lady Jane (now James Lacey, the middle brother's, wife - she was focused on in Book 2) Milly Porter goes on to marry Diego, a servant of the Lacey family. The brothers found out that Kit was their illegitimate brother and let him into the family as if his illegitimacy was non-existent.
This book focuses on this mysterious Kit that we have been only recently introduced to and his search for love, like his previous two brothers. From reading this, I can tell that some will not enjoy it as the format is rather similar to the previous two books although with different people and the central theme of the theatre, but I personally like this consistency. I know that I am going to probably enjoy it and this type of 'historical romance' books have become my favourite.

Saying this, when I first started the book, I was doubtful if I would enjoy it completely. I was actually rather worried when I started the book, as for me the beginning was...well, average, as I think I wrote about the intro in The Queen's Lady. The lengthy passage on Mercy thinking herself sinful started to annoy me. The long description of Kit's debut and then, being 'purified' was, although a little bit more interesting, not anything up to the standards Eve Edwards has placed herself. Now, before any readers that LOVE these series, as do I, start throwing insults at me for saying this - wait.
Then, we hit the moment when they meet and suddenly, I was falling in love with Edwards' writing all over again, like I have twice before. I could feel the excitement in the room they were in, the emotions of Kit and Mercy - everything. Every time I read Eve Edwards' books, I fall into this historical paradise which I hardly want to leave in a hurry.

Here, again, we have old and new characters. Will, James and especially Tobias all feature in this book and help Kit along the path to try and marry Mercy; Ladies Ellie and Jane are also in it briefly. Milly and Diego are also featured briefly. For new characters, we are introduced to Mercy's family - her strict, uptight father, John; her siblings, Faith and Edwin - both more Puritan and well behaved than the younger Mercy; her jolly aunt, Rose and the hilarious character of her Grandmother Isham - who for me made the comedy in this book. They all have a part to play in getting Mercy and Kit together. All of these are interesting characters that you will enjoy. Kit and Mercy play engaging protagonists, although Kit's humour favoured me more.

The great thing about these books are they are always so detailed historical wise. I learnt so much about the world of theatre (useful as I'm reading Othello in English Literature) and being a Puritan (by the way, apparently Rebecca is a Puritan name...). The language, although not quite so '1600's' as Shakespeare is, the language uses odd sentences and words that wouldn't be used nowadays but makes it so it is still easy to understand. The bit which I smiled at the most was the casual references to big events and characters that we all know about in modern day. Kit is in the same theatre company as William Shakespeare himself who is bursting at the chance to write - 'The company was still a little in shock that something so good could come from rural Stratford' (Page 252). And a mention of 'the what-his-name Marlowe' which really shows you what people those days must have thought of these normal seeming guys. Who knew they would be remembered four centuries later?

This book really shone out for me and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters of Mercy and Kit are incredibly entertaining and it's lovely to see their relationship flower and personalities deepen into characters that I would love to meet. The romance once again is there in force but not too sensual to offend anyone, you can tell deeply that they do truly love each other. The book is one of the best of 2011 so far and coming home every day this book from college, I just wanted to snuggle up and go back to the wonderful world of the Lacey's, Let's hope, there are some more coming soon. Keep up the good work, Edwards.
Verdict: The beginning is a tad rocky, but the book as a whole makes up for it.

I give it a 5 out of 5

Review of The Other Countess
Review of The Queen's Lady

Author's Website: http://eve-edwards.co.uk/
Pages: 256 (also includes first chapters of The Other Countess and The Queen's Lady)
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin
Challenges: Historical Fiction, BBC

Tuesday Top Ten: Books I want to Re-read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.


This week's theme is Books I am DESPERATE to re-read sooon


(This might be a short post as I'm about to cook my dinner...)


1. Shadow Web - N.M.Browne - I read this every year, and hasn't entered my Read 2011 list yet so this needs to be whacked out soon. 
2. The Roman Mysteries series - Caroline Lawrence - Having started studying Classical Civilisation recently, I'm really in the mood for some Roman books. I'm literally sitting in class like 'I know this! Thank you Roman Mysteries!' 
3. The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen - LOVE THIS BOOK.
4. Before I Die - Jenny Downham - I am not a Jenny Downham fan, I put my hands up for that but I read this book a long time ago and I don't think I fully understood it, so would like to give it another go. 
5. The Diary of Anne Frank - I could read this anytime. 
6. The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose - Mary Hooper - My first Mary Hooper book, and I haven't read it in YEARS.
7. The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness
8. Broken Soup/Finding Violet Park - Jenny Valentine - There are so many critisms about Jenny Valentine but I quite like her, so I want to re-read this to try and find out why people are saying these things.
9. Elsewhere - Gabrielle Zevin

The Anonymous Commenter who made my day.

So I come in from college grumbling because the Media assignment that I spent 2 HOURS of my Sunday on, I had done completely wrong and it's due in tomorrow. JOY.
Anyway, not the subject here. I log on to the computer after a quick chat with my nan (she is looking after me at the moment which means AMAZING FOOD) and a cuppa and I go on Blogger. Straight away, I know.
So I look at a couple of posts, a review of 'The Luxe', a couple of fashion posts, log on to Facebook, say hi to my friend I saw 30 minutes earlier and then, click on the comments section of Blogger, mostly expecting nothing.

I am serious. After 6 months of no comments when I started, I do not expect comments on the blog at all so when I get them I am thrilled. REALLY thrilled. So when I saw I had a new comment, I was happy especially about my new Kindle.

So I'm reading it, trying to get a piece of food out of my braces while doing so (harder than it sounds) and then I just stopped. Still.

My nan thought I'd fallen asleep, I was so still.

And then, I let out this huge 'Awww' that I normally reserve for cute cuddly animals.

I had the loveliest, most gorgeous comment I have EVER received. Serious. This is what it said:

I also got a Kindle for my birthday and love it to bits. Plus, I have been looking for a not overly expensive case, and have now found one thanks to this post. :D 

Also, may I say, I love your blog! I have a whole new list of books that I must try from it, and please keep this blog running, it is truely amazing! :)

Signed Anonymous. So basically, the point of this post? I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to whoever wrote this comment because it literally MADE MY DAY. Made my month actually.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I am not obsessive over comments like some but it's comments like this that make me keep blogging even when it's tough to write something about a book I hated. So when bloggers complain about what their doing, it annoys me so much because they don't even realise what a great thing it is. 

Thanks guys. 

When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead

I have seen this book around often on various places: the blogosphere, bookshops, the library. But for some reason, I was always a bit dubious about reading it - I have no idea why and still don't. Weird.
This book mostly caught me because of the name of the author. I hardly a name of Rebecca by an author so it was a pleasant surprise to find one in the YA section.


Synopsis: Living in a big city can be scary sometimes, especially if the city in question is New York City. For Miranda and Sal, best friends, they have grown up knowing their way around the dangerous neighbourhood. But then this safety starts to unravel. Sal gets punched randomly by a kid on their way home and starts avoiding Miranda. The key to the apartment in emergencies is stolen. Nothing is stolen but a pair of shoes. No evidence is left but a scrap of paper with a note addressed to Miranda asking her to write a story. Soon, she finds more and she starts to realise that the sender is hinting at something tragic to happen. But what and how can Miranda stop it? 


Review: This book seems to be quite innocent and basic from the outside, looking at the cover - but it isn't. It is much more complicated and bigger a plot than that.
Firstly, the cover. To an outsider, it means probably nothing. A few pictures randomly on the blocks. Well, actually, when you read this book, you will discover these little illustrations mean things for this book, which I really liked. Like finding out the secrets to the cover - why it is like that. Covers are great things to have and I know I 'judge a book by its cover' a lot. But sometimes, publishers just go neutral so you have no idea what a book can hold.  


The book itself is a fantastic read to come across. I wasn't expecting much, however. After a series of reading books recommended by bloggers and not liking them at all, I wasn't expecting this one to be a good read - but it intrigued me. This book is not perfect - it has some flaws, but it is a delightful read (and unexpected for me) and even though, writing quite simply, it is a book I would recommend to anyone.


One thing that makes it is the mystery and deception of these letters Miranda continuously receives. I had ideas on who the sender was at the beginning - and was half right. The thing about the notes is they get more confusing and suspicious every time - and vague. Your mind is constantly churning wondering what on earth they could be leading up to and then, when you get to the event, you (and Miranda) understand what it all means. However, if I had received these notes, I would FREAK OUT especially in a city like that where I have already been burgled. Except, Miranda doesn't, or if she does, it doesn't seem like she cares much at all. It's a little unreal I think, but doesn't ruin the book for me.


The characters also credit the book, and the different relationships Miranda has with these various people. My personal favourite was Sal's mum, who made some hilarious remarks and is worried for everyone instead of themselves. She is good friends with Miranda's family and they live on the floor downstairs so she is in the book quite often, making these comments. I DID not like Julia or Annemarie, even though they become Miranda's friends. They were just too posh, too unlike the protagonist, too bitchy! They are the type of people I would have stayed clear of. 


Like I said, and someone told me on the comments section, this book is aimed mostly for those in fifth grade to about eighth grade (Year 6-9) so being in 'eleventh grade (Year 12)', I am probably the wrong person to be reviewing this book. The language is simple and there are rarely elaborate descriptions but it is a fun, lovely novel and a novelty after studying books that are more complicated. 
There is this childish, innocent element of time-travel which, for me being a Doctor Who fan, was interesting to read about as many books avoid this kind of subject. The spacey element runs throughout the book and is incorporated in the ending, making it very different again. Although the ending wasn't as great as the rest of the book, it is very unique to this book and I can see why they would put it in this age range.


Talking about space - there is something I didn't realise until about 70% into the book. *SPOILERS - JUMP IF YOU WANT TO KNOW* 


The book is set in 1979, even though it gives the impression of now. Maybe I didn't notice some clues but this hit me straight, I didn't even realise. I found this extremely clever, and after reading the book until the end, it gives this impression of looking back from an older Miranda.




*IT'S SAFE NOW* This is not a long book, but at the right length. There is a series of plots happening that eventually all interlink, making this an interesting and adventurous type of novel. It is quite cute really.
   Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me and made me think about an alternate side to life and the possibilities the future can be technology wise. This book is a gem of a novel, one that you could easily walk past. Try it, even if you're not into simple language - you might be pleasantly surprised. 


I give it a 4 out of 5


Author's Website: http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/
Pages: 197
Publisher: Andersen Press
Challenges: Historical Fiction

Tuesday Top Ten: Books I feel as though everyone has read BUT me

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's theme is Books I feel as though everyone has read BUT me

1. The Twilight series - Stephanie Meyer - URGH, don't get me started. It has been nearly three years since the Twilight and vampire revolution took off and I have yet to read these series of books. WHY? Because I think the idea of having something like a vampire in a book is stupid and only popular because of Twilight. Twilight was around before the movies so why the sudden urge for some sparkly vampire to fall in love with? I am not sad I haven't read these books as I know the story anyway from those that have so I don't think you'll be seeing this book around here any time soon.  

2. The Hunger Games series - Suzanne Collins - This does anger me however. It's been around a year since the final book came out in these amazing series and now there is talk of a movie. I am yet to decide whether to see the movie then read or vice versa. 

3. The Uglies series - Scott Westerfeld - one of the oldest YA series going in the 21st Century - I know. But I just haven't seen them around in libraries etc. I can't help it...I can't...urgh. 

4. Where She Went - Gayle Forman - Like I say in most of these Top Ten thingy's - I SHALL READ IT AT SOME POINT SOON.

5. Jane - April Lindner - I have never seen this book. Ever. Not in the flesh, where is everyone gettting their copies (actually, I can guess that question). 

6. Divergent - Veronica Roth - Well, £10.99 for 300 pages - bit much so I'm waiting for it to come into the library. It looks absolutely amazing though, looking forward to reading it. 

7. Across the Universe - Beth Revis - I was one of the first bloggers to know about this and it always haunts me when I go in bookshops but because of my phobia of not buying books without knowing what they are going to be like in my opinion, I am yet to read this one. I think it's going to be a library one.

Theodore Boone: The Abduction - John Grisham (#2)

*SPOILERS IF NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK*


After reading the first book in this interesting series, when I found out there was a second by my also-addicted-friend, I jumped for joy. I was sad that the ending of the first book just ended without a reason, but now I know why! 
My copy of this book is not as nice as the picture (left), it has some nice bright neon orange that would have put me off otherwise. DO NOT FEAR THIS BOOK. Read it, but read Theodore Boone, the first book beforehand to enjoy the true pleasure these books provide.


Synopsis: Theodore Boone is back with another adventurous case to solve! His best friend, April, goes missing mysteriously in the middle of the night from her bedroom without a trace - no-one knows where she could be. As the police hit dead-ends and a body is discovered in Strattenburg's river, it is up to Theo to use his extensive legal knowledge to find out the truth and find his best friend before it is too late. Will he find her? Is the body hers though?


Review: I really love Theodore Boone. He is a cracking character with a lot of charisma and intelligence and he is just so cool. Okay, so not hip cool maybe but I would want to be his friend - he seems like my kind of person. 
It is not entirely clear how long has passed between the first book and this one. However, there is the mention at the end of the Duffy trial starting again in six weeks time, so I would say about two or three weeks has gone. There are references to the previous book but this could also be read as a stand-alone novel, which is nice if you aren't into reading sequels which I know some people aren't. 


This book isn't so much a legal drama as Theodore Boone was. It is more about the life of Theo and his relationships with everyone around him, as well as the implications of something that happens rarely: abduction. I know there have been some pretty big stories in the past but soon I think abductions will become a thing of the past, thankfully. As well as showing how the police department would work and their procedures in a situation like this, this book outlines what you should and should not do if it was your friend/family member. I guess it would be the same procedures in England but without knowing much about this area, I cannot say if John Grisham has explained the confusing details of it like he did with the legal system in the first book.


The writing was still amazing and flowed really well which made me not realise how fast I read the book (four days) which is a record probably for me especially for this size of book. I felt like I was going back to these old friends when I read about the good old characters, it was like returning to another world really, a friendly one. Theo is as always my favourite and will be always. His parents and Ike (his uncle who helps him a lot) were just the way they were in the last book which was good. The only problem with that was in the last book, after being separated and not seeing each other much, Theo's parents and Ike seemed to get along and work together and even said (or it seemed obvious to me from reading) that they would get closer as they are family. In this book, that didn't happen. There was still the awkwardness when Ike's name was mentioned and the mood that they didn't want to be associated with him but felt Theo should know him. It just felt a little strange to me. At the end of this one, it felt the same as it did at the ending of the previous one so it will be interesting to see that relationship continue.


April was mentioned and introduced in the first book but like I said, hardly worth an introduction in the previous as she was only in it briefly as she was in the middle of a divorce for her parents. That 'divorce' was hardly mentioned in this book so I presume that it never happened or in middle of happening. I'm serious - in The Abduction, nothing was said about it! April is, although not in this one much either, complicated and we learn more about her and her weird relationship with Theo in this book, as well as her family. 
Last time, I thought Theo seemed younger than his thirteen years but this time, he felt much older. He never seems to me, to be a true thirteen year-old.


At the end of this book, I didn't feel deflated, I felt EXCITED. Why can the next book be out now? There is going to be a third book (Source) but will be released the middle of next year, so we have at least 6 months to wait. BOO! The end links to the first with a reference to the last one, and is left on a slight cliffhanger, but not one where you will ponder on and on and get on John Grisham's nerves with amount of emails you sent demanding to know what happened. 
  Overall, this book was far better for me and more well rounded and readable than the first book, it really has showed that John Grisham can be successful at writing YA and Adult books well and I think the next one will be one of the most anticipated of 2012. What will happen next for the great Theodore Boone?
Verdict: Ignore the funky cover, read it. But I would recommend to read the first book, Theodore Boone, first - there's an extract from it at the end of this book. 


I give it a 5 out of 5


My Review for the first book of this series, Theodore Boone 


Author's Website: http://www.theodoreboone.com/
Pages: 217
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Challenges: None

London Fashion Week

So I was in London this weekend. Nope, not because of London Fashion Week, but to see some friends of the family who were staying in London - we only found out about London Fashion Week a week ago.
So in homage to the fact that I felt so out of place everywhere with all these attractive girls tottering around in high heels with passes while I go along in jeans, we went to Somerset House, the beautiful gallery where they host London Fashion Week - in the rain and took some pictures.

Okay, no - I did not see Vivenne Westwood or Henry Holland or some other bizarre name, but I did see a lot of well dressed people and press which helped me learn about this world that I may enter in the future. THEY ALL LOOK AMAZING. Totally not fair and I felt even more out of place there.
The only famous person I saw was Gok Wan entering one of the venues in a rather bright red shirt which...didn't suit him. Oh and Carrie from a fashion blog I follow WishWishWish being photographed. If you see any photos (I am keeping a look out) of some boringly dressed girl in the background wearing a purple hat - that was me!

It's a lovely outside area and so peaceful with just everyone milling around, having conversations, taking photographs. There was a real feel of a buzz around the area and being the first time I've been there inside or  out for London Fashion Week, I am so glad I went. I can really see why they are the hottest tickets in town.

I got to pick up some free magazines/newspapers they were giving out about the Saturday day of London Fashion Week (seen below)

I didn't go to any of the shows or see anyone amazingly famous like Kate Moss but it was a lovely experience. 

In the fashion stakes, I got some shoes because my plain black ones are dead and have a mouth (sole is peeling away) I have named him Mr Shoe, and no-one has found Mr Shoe funny yet...I do though.

Above: Shows, £28, Urban Outfitters

Film Review: Girl With the Pearl Earring

Starring: Scarlett Johansson (The Other Boleyn Girl), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), Cillian Murphy (Inception), Tom Wilkinson (Shakespeare in Love),  Anna Popplewell (The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe)
Made in 2003 by Lion Gate Films in the UK
Filmed in London, Luxembourg, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Belguim
Directed by Peter Webber
Based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier



Ever since reading the novel version, I have wanted to see this film, having known the film before the novel. Also, I knew of the film early on, especially after watching the first modern St. Trinians where they steal the actual painting the book/film are based on ('Oh my god! You want us to steal Scarlett Johansson?!'). So when I came across a MASSIVE DVD section in the library at the college and found this, I had to get it out for the weekend.

The film was overall well done. It was filmed beautifully and really fulfilled what I expected. This is a stunning adaptation of the novel, there plots that are included are done to the best they could and it felt like I was watching Girl with a Pearl Earring, not just a version of it. Although I love adaptations of books, sometimes they can ruin the whole feel of a novel for me because of the film. I think many would agree with me. This, however, didn't do that. I feel I can still read the book, healthy in the knowledge that my mind can either revert to this when I think of what is happening in my mind or create a complete new version.

Scarlett Johansson was the best choice as Griet, although so me she spoke little, she was just as I imagined Griet and looked so much like the girl we all see in the painting, hence Chelsea's comment from St Trinians. She came across a lot like her world was spiralling out of control because of her innocence that every character plays on in good and bad ways for her.
Colin Firth as Vermeer, not something that I would have necessarily have chosen, but I guess I can see Colin doing the moody painter look, like he kind of has in other roles. His relationship with Griet was well played too and showed simply that they wanted to, you know, get together but they knew deep down they couldn't. - it is such a complicated relationship and they live together knowing that and Griet knows she can ask him things that she would know dare to ask his wife.
And the plus of Vermeer? It's Colin Firth. Yes, he's 50 but you know, I like him...hmm...

Anyway, there were a few surprise castings that I did not know where in it. Number One: Anne Popplewell. She is the oldest daughter of Vermeer's family, and doesn't exactly have a speaking role. Just kind of walks around a bit and helps Griet once or twice. Number Two: Cillian Murphy from Inception. I was like 'Hey, it's you!' He played Pieter, Griet's kind of lover. He was annoying much like I find his character in the book, so persistent. So yeah basically he did a good job!

I loved how the colours of the headscarf are so vivid nearer the end for the painting, they are so beautiful and contrast dramatically with Griet's normally plain life and really shows what paint can do to make it so real and life-like.
The only things that annoyed me in a bad way against the book was that they took out a lot of characters and events that were so great and important to the plot like Griet's sister dying, her seeing her brother, the awkward dinners with her family and Pieter. These things were great in the book and I can see that maybe not needed but it would have been great if it was a true good adaptation rather than a half hearted one. And Cornelia. She was way too young and pretty.
Also, a lot of the events just you know, kind of just HAPPEN, without a build up or anything which is unusual in those type of films really.

This is a great and true adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's Girl with the Pearl Earring and should have won more awards. With its star-studded cast and beautiful filming, this is really one I would watch again and recommend others to do so too.

My Review of the novel, Girl with the Pearl Earring

College rambles.

So college isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's nice to have so much more freedom, be in a more relaxing relationship with the teachers and do basically your own thing. It is very different from secondary school, but better.
I've met some lovely people already too, some of which I've become friends with already, as well as hanging out with my old ones too. The only people from my old school is my group, so although outnumbered, we're closer too. I thought I'd give you a schedule of my day:

6:40am: Wake up, drag myself out of bed (I am not awake really by the way), choose something decent to wear and go downstairs.
7:00am: Watch TV and eat my breakfast while making a quick coffee to somehow wake me up.
7:25am: Go upstairs and brush my teeth, put make-up on, get generally ready to go.
7:45am: LEAVE THE HOUSE. In the morning, I walk to the train station which for me, crowned the most fastest walker, it takes me about 15/20 mins to get there, it's about a mile away. I do that because the public transport is so unreliable and it's a nice start when walking with an iPod in.
Around 8am: I get there to the train station, put my ticket through the machine and walk down the corridor to the platform. I HATE THAT CORRIDOR THAT LEADS TO THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. There are lots of pigeons that live on the ledges so you don't know when a pigeon is going to come out and either poo/fly into you/or just fly around and look scary. I HATE IT I TELL YOU.
8:10am: Train comes. I have to get this train or I am LATE. It's packed. Always, and you feel like you're not going to get on at all. It's annoying because people push to the front to get on and then don't move when they do to let others on. Poo them.
8:30am: Get to my destination and walk around the corner to the college.
8:45am: Lessons start. If we looked at today, I had History first which was AWKWARD. Because our class just doesn't talk. They stare at the teacher like 'Oh hey, we're in a lesson??' and the teacher ANSWERS HER OWN QUESTIONS. And keeps looking at me like 'PLEASE answer my question!' I am the answerer of the class. You know there's always one.
We get homework. Boo.
9:40am: Second lesson. English Literature with the most angry teacher. She just is permentantly annoyed with a angry voice constantly. It reaaaally annoys me. We start reading Death of a Salesman. More Homework. Booo.
10:35am: BREAK. I chill out with some people at the grassy area at the front.
11am: Third lesson. MORE ENGLISH LITERATURE. With a different teacher who I LOVE. She is lovely. We start looking at Othello and link the story together. MEGA confusion.
11:55am: IT'S LUNCHTIME. I go to a sandwich place with my friend and get a sub with some chicken and cheese and salad. Very yummy. Then, I hang out with some friends in the sun by this fountain. Then, walk back to the college.
12:55pm: Fourth lesson. Media Studies. We have a sub and just kind of chat and find out the meaning of some funny looking spelt words.
1:50pm: I'M FINISHED FOR THE DAY. We have another break and then I had to the library to get some homework done.
3pm: I go home and get home around 4pm. Normally it's like 5:30pm on a normal full day.


SO there you go. I really am enjoying my time there studying English Literature, Media Studies, History and Classical Civilisation. It's great fun and so much freedom!